A question about James Comey

[PJMcK]

Mr. Comey has said that when he met privately with Trump, he was asked to let Flynn go. He says he felt pressured by Trump in their several meetings.

It seems he should have said, "Mr. President, this conversation is deeply inappropriate and I have to ask you to stop right now."

Why didn't he do that?

[hlthe2b]

1. He talked about that at length in his public Senate testimony--CSPAN (or youtube) should have it

in the archives. I don't want to paraphrase or risk misquoting him. You should listen for yourself.

[niyad]

2. not sure, but I think you are missing the point. what the OP quoted was the response women

get when they tell about assault and harassment. at least, that is the way I am reading it.

[hlthe2b]

4. maybe so... but, it actually IS a question asked both by media and in the Senate hearing of Comey...

[PJMcK]

6. Just to be clear, niyad

I really wasn't making a comparison between sexual harassment and Trump's obstruction of justice by trying to influence Mr. Comey's actions at the FBI.

Although there are superficial similarities between these two situations, my question related to something else than unequal levels of power. Mr. Comey had years of government experience dealing at the highest levels and had an understanding of his role as FBI Director. Trump's request was far outside the lines. Mr. Comey was understandably nervous and concerned and did the right thing by backstopping himself with contemporaneous memos of the meetings.

In any event, please see my post #5; hlthe2b remembered that Mr. Comey did address my question during his Senate testimony.

[PJMcK]

5. Thanks for the info

Here's the transcript from the NY Times:

FEINSTEIN: Now, here’s the question: You’re big. You’re strong. I know the Oval Office, and I know what happens to people when they walk in. There is a certain amount of intimidation. But why didn’t you stop and say, “Mr. President, this is wrong. I cannot discuss this with you”?

COMEY: It’s a great question. Maybe if I were stronger, I would have. I was so stunned by the conversation that I just...

(CROSSTALK)

COMEY: ... took it in. And the only thing I could think to say, because I was playing in my mind, because I could (ph) remember every word he said — I was playing in my mind, what should my response be? And that’s why I very carefully chose the words.

And, look, I — I’ve seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes. I — I remember saying, “I agree he’s a good guy,” as a way of saying, “I’m not agreeing with what you just asked me to do.”

Again, maybe other people would be stronger in that circumstance but that — that was — that’s how I conducted myself. I — I hope I’ll never have another opportunity. Maybe if I did it again, I would do it better.

You answered my question, hlthe2b. Thanks!

[unblock]

3. he cleared the room to have a private conversation with comey. he knew it was deeply inappropriate.

[emulatorloo]

7. That was a big rightwing talking point after Comey's testimony to discredit Comey and protect Trump

I ass-ume you bringing it up means the rightwing has revived it and you saw it on a website somewhere

[PJMcK]

8. It came up in a conversation, not from the RW

I had forgotten that part of Mr. Comey's testimony. The answer to my question was that he was "stunned" that the president would be interfering with an investigation and so he chose his words very carefully.

It's a fair response to a pretty difficult situation.